Tag forming machine



March 20, 1934. H. IRMSCHER TAG FORMING MACHINE Filed Aug. 29, 1931 12 Shasta-Sheet 1 55 3 o H1, I H m a .& .w w Q 3 llfl nz A i mN Q M Q N m mm o o N am a 1 0 d @W 9 INVENTOR Warts /r//zsc6er ATTORNEY- March 20, 1934. H. IRMSCHER TAG FORMING MACHINE Filed Aug. 29, 1931 12 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 7567/15 fiwrscer ATTORNEY$ March 20, 1934. H. IRMSCHER 1,951,417

TAG FORMING MACHINE Filed Aug. 29, 1931 12 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR 7/0/15 #mscer my BY ,i%-rm ATTORNEY March 20, 1934. H. IRMSCHER TAG FORMING MACHINE Filed Aug. 29, 1931 12 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR 7%?05 //msc6er ATTORNEYS March 20, 1934. H. IRMSCHER 1,951,417

TAG FORMING MACHINE Filed Aug. 29, 1931 12 Sheets-Sheet 5 SP LA/j INVENTOR 776/75 fimsaher ATTORNEY 5 March 20, 1934. M R 1,951,417

TAG FORMING MACHINE Filed Aug. 29, 1931 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR fizz/2s #mscer March 20, 1934. H. IRMSCHER TAG FORMING MACHINE Filed Aug. 29, 1931 12 Sheets-Sheet 7 March 20, 1934. H. IRMSCHER 1,951,417

TAG FORMING MACHINE Filed Aug. 29, 1931 12 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR 756/15 //71!s oer My 6%, M

ATTORNEY 5 March 20, 1934.

H. IRMSCHER TAG FORMING MACHINE Filed Aug. 29, 1931 12 Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTOR 756m /rmsc6er TTORNEY S March 20, 1934. H. IRMSCHER TAG FORMING MACHINE Filed Aug. 29, 1931 12 Sheets-Sheet 10 INVENTOR firms knack!" BY M7, fl, fl%m ATTORNEY March 20, 1934. H. IRMSCHER TAG FORMING MACHINE Filed Aug. 29, 1931 12 Sheets-Sheet 11 INVENTOR 7/7/16 fivmscber BY 624 w ATTORNEYS March 20, 1934. H. IRMSCHER- 1,951,417

TAG FORIING MACHINE Filed Aug. 29, 19:51 12 Sheets-Sheet i2 INVENTOR 7/cuzs /rmsc"rer IATI'ORINEYJ Patented Mar. 20, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TAG FORMING MACHINE Hans Irmscher, New York, N.

Y., assignor to Application August 29, 1931, Serial No. 560,082

5 Claims.

The present invention relates to devices for forming tags and providing the same with means whereby they may be attached to suitable articles and embodies more specifically, an improved device for forming tags and securing the same in spaced relation upon a continuous supply of string or other flexible means by which the tags may be attached to suitable articles.

More particularly, the invention embodies a device for forming and securing tags successively to a continuous string or the like and winding the same uniformly upon a suitable reel. The invention is particularly useful in connection with the forming of tags to be secured to tea balls, such tags bearing the label, brand or other indicia suitable for designating the source of origin, brand, etc. In this connection, it should be noted that where the tags are secured in spaced relation upon a string or other flexible means, it is necessary that the winding of the string upon reels takes place without disturbing the spaced relationship of the tags, the positions of such tags being preserved in order that upon subsequent securing operations of the tags to the desired articles, the tags may not become entangled.

In the operations necessary to form tea bags or other similar articles, the bag, after being formed, has secured thereto a string upon which a label has been secured in order that each individual bag may have its proper label. Suitable continuous tapes are provided with the desired indicia, upon either or both sides thereof and the printed tapes are supplied to a device constructed in accordance with the present invention in order that portions of suitable design, bearing the previously printed indicia, may be stamped from the tapes. Simultaneously with the stamping operation, a wire staple is formed and inserted through the successive labels, the upsetting of the staple taking place subsequent to the securing of a string or other attaching device under the staple. After such operation has taken place, the string to which the labels are attached successively is carried to a reel and wound thereon in accordance with the rate of securing of the labels to the string.

In effecting the foregoing operations, it is necessary that an effective string winding and take-up mechanism may be provided to insure the continuous and proper winding of the string upon reels. A further important consideration the take-up mechanism for winding the waste portion of the tape from which the labels have been stamped, this take-up mechanism being of such character as to efiectively wind upon waste reels the stamped portions of the tape Without disturbing the juxtaposed positions of the successive printed portions of the tape to the stamping means for cutting factors contributing to the efficient operations of devices of this character include the provision of an efi'evtive stapling mechanism for forming staples from a continuous source of wire and subsequently applying the staple to a stamped label to include within its embrace a string or other attaching device by means of which the label may be secured to desired articles.

An object of the invention, accordingly, is to provide a device for forming tags from a continuous supply of tape and stapling the same successively to a continuous supply of string or other suitable attaching means, the device including an improved take-up mechanism for the string to which the tags have been stapled.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the above character, wherein the foregoing take-up mechanism for the string to which the tags have been stapled includes a substantially continuously operating drive from which power is taken to actuate a reel supporting spindle in such fashion that the movement of the reel is interrupted for only comparatively short intervals of time, during which time the tags are stapled thereto.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved reel mounting and actuating means whereby axial movement of the reel is effected in addition to rotation thereof upon its own axis in a predetermined manner, this means including an axial feed mechanism, wherein the position of the reel with respect to the axial feed mechanism may be varied with facility.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved stapling mechanism for securing tags to a continuous string or other suitable attaching means.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved stapling mechanism wherein stapling of tags which are stamped from a continuous tape is effected simultaneously with staple forming operations, thue enabling a continuous supply of stapling material to be utilized in connection with the continuous operation of the machine.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a stapling mechanism of the above character, means to cut successive lengths of a wire or other suitable stapling material and after such lengths have been cut, form them into staples and adthe labels. Other vance the staples successively into successive tags which are stamped from a continuous tape or other source.

A further object of the invention is to provide a means for preventing the actuation of the stapling mechanism to advance the staples into successively formed tags during movement of the tag into stamping position.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved punch for stamping out, successively, tags from a tape or other continuous source, such punch including an anvil for cooperation with a stapling mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to provide a punch of the above character wherein an anvil is formed as an auxiliary element, such anvil cooperating with a suitable stapling mechanism, thus relieving the punch from functioning as an anvil.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved actuating mechanism whereby staples are cut from a continuous source of material, formed, and advanced into tags to secure the tags to a continuous string in successive operations.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved take-up mechanism for the waste portion of the tape from which tags have been stamped, this take-up mechanism being impositive in character and automatically compensating for Variations in the effective diameter thereof upon the take-up of the tape.

Further objects, not specifically enumerated above, will be apparent as the invention is de scribed in greater detail in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a machine for forming tags and securing the same successively and in uniform spaced relationship upon a string or other attaching means.

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation showing the machine oi Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a segmental enlarged plan view of the stapling mechanism of the machine shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a View in section. taken on line 4-4 of Figure 3, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a plan view of the movable stapling heads of the device shown in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a. view similar to Figure 5 showing the stapling head actuated to cut and form the wire staple.

Figure '7 is a view similar to Figure 6, showing the position of the stapling mechanism after the staple forming anvil has been removed and prior to the movement of the staple into the tag.

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figures 6 and '7 showing the movement of the staple into the tag, the upsetting anvil carried by the punch having received the staple to effect the upsetting of the ends thereof.

Figure 9 is a view in side elevation, showing the actuating mechanism for the stapling head and movable elements shown in Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8.

Figure 10 is a plan view of the cam for actuating the elements of the stapling head in predetermined order.

Figure 11 is a view in section, taken on line l1-11 of Figure 10, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 12 is a plan view of a string to which a tag has been stapled in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 13 is an enlarged view in section, taken on line 13 l3 of Figure 12, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure is a view in side elevation, showing the take-up mechanism for the waste portion of the tape, as provided by the present invention.

Figure 15 is a plan view of the take-up mechanism shown in Figure 14.

Figure 16 is a detailed view showing the driving mechanism for the tape take-up mechanism above referred to.

Figure 17 is a view in side elevation, showing the driving mechanism for the reel constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 18 is a view in section, taken on dot and dash lines of Figure 17, and looking in the direction of the arrows l8-18.

Figure 19 is a view in section, taken on the dot and dash line of Figure 17, and looking in the direction of the arrows 19- 19 thereof.

Figure 20 is a plan view showing the feeding mechanism for moving the reel axially.

Figure 21 is a view in end elevation showing the split nut and connection between the feed mechanism and the reel.

With reference to Figures 1 and 2, a frame of a. machine constructed in accordance with the present invention is indicated at 1 and is formed with a horizontal table 2 having a lateral extension 3. A shaft 4 is journaled upon arms 5 formed upon the frame and any suitable means is provided for supplying power to the shaft. In the construction shown, a driven sprocket 6 is secured to the shaft 4 and receives power from a suitable source through a chain connection.

lhe extension 3 of the table serves as a support for the tape '7 which is supplied continuously from a suitable source and has, at spaced intervals thereon, suitable printed matter. The feeding mechanism for advancing the tape through the machine comprises a crank arm 8 which is journaled upon a bracket 9, secured to the extension 3 and connected to a link 10 through a suitable lost motion connection 11. The link 10 is driven by an arm 12 which is cocentrically mounted upon the driving shaft 4, rotation of the shaft thus causing reciprocation of link 10. Upon the other end of the bell crank lever 8, a link 13 is pivoted, the other end of the link being journaled at 14 upon a slidably mounted head 15. The head 15 is slidably mounted upon a guide 16 which is carried by the extension 3 and is thus adapted to reciprocate in response to the reciprocating movement of link 10.

Upon the slide 15, a dog 17 is mounted, the dog being normally urged into engagement with the slide by means of a spring 18 and maintained in proper position with respect thereto by means of a link 19. The tape 7 is formed with spaced perforations 7 which are adapted to be engaged by the dog 17 and thus movement of the tape is effected during movement of the slide 15 toward the table 2 since, during such movement, the dog 17 engages the apertures '7.

The tape 7 is moved across a punch anvil 20 and, during movement of the dog 17 and slide thereof are wound upon a take-up reel 21 in a manner to be described hereinafter.

A head 23 is mounted upon guides 22, a punch 24 being secured to the head. Reciprocating motion is imparted to the head and punch by means of a connecting rod 25 which is mounted upon an eccentric 26, carried by the shaft 4. The movement of the punch 24 and dog 17 is synchronized in such fashion that the punch advances into the tape carried by the punch anvil 20 upon movement of the dog 1'7 away from the table 2. In this fashion, the tape '7 remains stationary while being punched.

Simultaneously with the punching operation described above, a staple is formed and secured to the tags which has been punched, the staple simultaneously securing the tag to a continuous string which is wound upon a reel 125 in a manner which will now be described.

Referring particularly to Figures 3, 4, 5, 6, '7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13, stationary guides 2'7 are carried by the table 2 and receive a head 28 slidably. The head 28 is provided with a roller 29 which is adapted to engage within a slot 30 formed in a cam plate 31. The cam plate 31 is hinged at 32 to the head 28 and is actuated by a link 33 which is pivoted to the plate at 34 and is hingedly connected to an end of a lever 35. The other end of the lever 35 is journaled at 36 upon the table 2. Intermediate the ends of the lever 35, a link 3'7 is journaled at 38. The other end of link 3'7 is journaled upon a crank arm 39 which is driven by the power shaft 4. In this fashion, reciprocating motion is imparted to the cam plate 31 and roller 29 is constrained to move in accordance with groove 30. The entire head is thus moved against the punch 24 which is passed through the punch aperture formed in the punch anvil 20 and the tag which has been punched from the tape '7 is thus held in a proper position.

Carried by the head 28 is a wire feeding apparatus including a pressure roller 40 and a serrated feed roller 41. A wire 42, fed from a reel 43, is passed through a guide tube 44 which is cut away adjacent the cooperating portions of the rollers 40 and 41 in order that the sides of the wire may be gripped by the rollers to cause the advancement thereof through the guide tube 44 and into the cutting and forming mechanism described hereinafter. A spring actuated pawl 45 cooperates with the serrations of the feed roller 41 to cause the latter to be turned to advance the wire through the tube 44 upon movement of the head 28 toward the punch 24. In this fashion a measured quantity of the wire is advanced into a feed groove 46 (Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8) and the end of the wire is thus extended across the path of movement of forming members to be described hereinafter which move within a groove 4'7, formed in the movable head 28. After the head has been moved toward the punch 24 by means of the roller 29 in engagement with the cam groove 30, spaced side forming members 48, mounted upon a common head member 49 and provided with a roller 50 which engages groove 51 in the cam plate 31, are advanced against the portion of the wire within the groove 4'7 to sever such portion from the remainder of the wire, as will be readily apparent from Figure 5.

Continued movement of the severed portion of the wire by the outsidecutting members 48 drives the wire into engagement with a staple forming anvil 52 which is formed upon a lever 53, pivoted at 54 upon the movable head 28. A leaf spring 55 normally urges the lever and forming anvil 52 downwardly into the groove 47, and the ends of the severed portion of the wire are thus turned over by continued movement of the outside forming members as shown in Figure 6.

After the staple has been formed as shown in Figure 6, a stapling head 56 is advanced against the staple to force the same into engagement with the tag and string carried by the punch 24. Reference is now made to Figures '7 and 8 to illustrate this operation. The central hammer or stapling member 56 is carried upon a slidable head 57 which is slidably mounted in the head 28 and has a roller 58 for engaging a cam groove 59, formed in the cam plate 31. After the wire has been cut and formed into a staple, the cam groove 59 forces the head 5'7 and hammer 56 against the formed staple, the forming anvil 52 being elevated by engagement of a cam 60 carried by the movable head 49, into engagement with a cooperating cam face 61 formed on the under portion of the lever 53. Continued movement of the hammer 56 and side forming members 48 with respect to the head 28 causes the forming anvil to be elevated from the path of the first mentioned members, and the staple 62, formed from the severed portion of the wire, is driven into engagement with a tag 63 which has been stamped from the tape '7 as it passes over the punch anvil 20.

Within the punch 24 and spaced opposite the stapling hammer 56 is an auxiliary anvil 64, the position of which with respect to the punch 24 may be adjusted by means of a threaded shaft 65. The anvil 64 is formed with a suitable recess 66 to facilitate the upsetting of the ends of the staple 62 and securing the same to the tag 63.

Simultaneously with the foregoing stapling operation, a string or other attaching means 67 is secured under the staple, this string being threaded over a notch 68, formed in the movable head 28. The string may be fed from a suitable supply and is directed upwardly to a reel actuated by a take-up mechanism described hereinafter.

Upon completion of the stapling operation, the cam plate 31 returns the head 28 and elements carried thereby to the position shown in Figure 5 preparatory to a subsequent stapling operation upon actuation of the cam plate in the opposite direction.

After the stapling of the tags successively to the string 67, the latter is wound upon a suitable reel 125 carried by a reel spindle 70. The reel spindle '70 comprises a tube which is mounted upon a stationary rod 71, shown in Figures 1'7 and 18. The stationary rod '71 is secured to an extension '72 of the frame of the machine 1, as indicated at '73. The spindle or sleeve '70 is secured to a gear 74 which has mutilated por tions '75 spaced about the periphery thereof. Gear '74 is engaged by a driving pinion 76 which also has a mutilated portion '77 adapted to cooperate m'th the spaced mutilated portions '75 of t the gear '74. Pinion '76 is mounted upon a shaft section '79 which is journaled at '78 upon the extension 72 and at 80 me bracket carried by the extension. Rotation is imparted to the shaft section through a universal joint 81 and shaft 82 which receives power from a universal joint 83 receiving power from the power shaft 4 in any suitable fashion. It will thus be seen that rotation of the shaft section 79 causes the spindle to be rotated during the engagement of the teeth of driving pinion 76 with the teeth of the gear 74. As the mutilated segment 77 of the driving pinion engages the mutilated portion of driving gear 74, rotation of the spindle 70 and the reel carried thereby is temporarily halted and the interval of time during which the rotation of the reel ceases is the time during which the punch 24 advances into the tape 7 and punches a tag therefrom and the stapling mechanism secures the tag to the string.

Axial movement is imparted to the reel by means of a suitable feed screw 87, the lower extremity of which carries a driving gear 88 which is engaged by a planetary pinion 89 carried by a head 90 which is mounted upon the spindle 70 (Figure 19). Planetary pinion 89 engages internal teeth 91 which are formed in an annular head 92 and thus, as the spindle 70 rotates, the feed screw 87 is turned to move a feed head 93 axially of the spindle. The take-up reel for the string preferably engages the head 93 and thus moves axially of the spindle as the string is wound thereon.

The feed head 93 is preferably formed of spaced members 94 having bifurcated extensions 95 which engage the spindle 70 to prevent rotation of the head with respect to the feed screw 87 (Figures 20 and 21). Between the members 94, cooperating nut sections 96 are pivoted, a spring 97 being provided to urge the sections normally together and into engagement with the shafts of the screw 87. Tags 98 extend upon opposite sides of the nut sections in order that pressure exerted thereon toward the members 94 may separate the nut sections and effect disengagement of the nut from the feed screw. In this fashion, the head 93 may initially be adjusted to any desired axial position upon the feed screw 87.

An improved take-up is provided for winding the waste portion of the tape after the labels have been punched therefrom in the manner described hereinbefore, this take-up including the reel 21, previously referred to (Figures 1, 14, 15, and 16) which is mounted upon a spindle 100, carried by an arm 101, which is formed on or secured to the frame of the machine. This supporting arm projects laterally and angularly from the machine, as shown in Figure 1, and supports the tape takeup mechanism in a desired position with respect to its horizontal plane of movement through the punching and stapling apparatus above described. The spindle 100 carries a collar 102 which is pinned thereto to serve as a step bearing for a sleeve 103. Above the sleeve 103, a ratchet wheel 104 is journaled, this ratchet wheel being formed with a hub 105 which is journaled upon the spindle 100 and bears upon the upper end of the sleeve 103. Movement of the ratchet wheel 104 is effected by means of a spring pressed driving pawl 106 which is pivoted upon an arm 107, formed upon the sleeve 103. An extension on the arm 107 carires a pin 108 which engages a slotted extension 109 of an arm 110 carried by a sleeve 111. The sleeve 111 is journaled upon the supporting arm 101 and is formed with a driving arm 112 to which a link 113 is connected through a universal joint 114. The link 113 is connected to a crank arm, 115 formed upon the connection 39 of the link 37 to the driving shaft 4. This eccentric connection therefore imparts reciprocating motion to link 113 to cause the arm 110 to be moved about the axis .of sleeve 111 in a manner which will be readily apparent. In this fashion, the driving pawl 106 is reciprocated along the periphery of the ratchet wheel 104 to effect movement of such wheel in one direction. Movement of the wheel in a reverse direction is prevented by a spring pressed stop pawl 116 which is mounted upon a bracket 117 carried by the extension 101.

The reel 21 is provided with a hub 118, in the periphery of which a groove is formed to receive a friction band 119. One end of the friction band 119 is anchored to the ratchet wheel 104 by means of a pin 120, while the other end 121 of the band is secured to a spring 122 which is anchored to a pin 123, carried by the ratchet wheel 104. It will thus be seen that the drive between the ratchet wheel 104 and the reel 21 is impositive in character and, upon the existence of a predetermined resistance of reel 21 to rotation, slippage between the ratchet wheel 104 and the reel 21 results. In this fashion, when the amount of tape on the reel is increased sufiiciently to cause the peripheral movement of the tape on the reel to exceed the movement of the tape through the punch and stapling mechanism, the take-up driving mechanism slips sufiiciently to avoid tearing the tape.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that a machine has been provided which effectively moves a tape bearing suitable indicia at spaced intervals to a. punching and stapling mechanism, holds the tape periodically in a stationary condition while the punching and stapling operations are eifected, and effectively winds the waste tape from which the tags or labels have been stamped upon suitable reels. During the interval of time that the tape is in a stationary condition, an improved punch is actuated to cut or stamp a label therefrom, a staple forming mechanism being simultaneously actuated to form a staple from a continuous supply of wire and advance the same into the tag or label which has been punched. In this connection, the punch is formed with an improved anvil whereby adjustment of the position ofthe anvil is afforded to compensate for wear during long usage. Subsequent to the stapling operation, the tape is released and the tag or label, which has been secured to a string in spaced relation to previously formed tags, is carried upon such string to a reel which is actuated in a substantially continuous fashion and moved to wind the string thereon without entangling the labels and string with other lengths thereof. The mechanism for actuating the reel is of improved character and affords a comparatively smooth drive whereby violent shocks and excessive wear are eliminated. The reel actuating mechanism is further provided with an improved for feeding the reel axially upon mounting spindle.

In connection with staple forming and actuating mechanism, it will be seen that an improved feed is provided whereby a wire may be used as the source of material from which the staples are formed, an effective mechanism being provided to sever suitable lengths of the wire and bend the ends thereof, subsequent to which operation, the forming mechanism is relieved of further operation until the staple driving mechanism has been actuated to effect the stapling of a tag to the string.

While the invention has been described with specific reference to the accompanying drawings, it is not to be limited, save as defined in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A stapling device comprising a mounting means having a movable head formed with a groove, means on the head to supply staple forming material periodically to the groove, means responsive to movement. of the head to advance the material into the groove, a forming anvil, means to cut the portion of material in the groove and move the same against the forming anvil, a stapling anvil, means to withdraw the forming anvil from the staple, means to drive the staple against the stapling anvil, a pivoted cam plate, means to actuate the head, staple forming means, and staple driving means from the plate, a guide on the head for the staple forming material, cooperating means on the head and mounting means for directing the material through the guide, and means to reciprocate the plate.

2. A stapling device comprising a mounting means having a movable head formed with a groove, means on the head to supply staple forming material periodically to the groove, means responsive to movement of the head to advance the material into the groove, a forming anvil, means to cut the portion of material in the groove and move the same against the forming anvil, a stapling anvil, means to withdraw the forming anvil from the staple, means to drive the staple against the stapling anvil, a pivoted cam plate, means to actuate the head, staple forming means and staple driving means from the plate, a. guide on the head for the staple forming material, a. ratchet wheel on the head for directing the ma.- terial through the guide, a pawl on the mounting means for actuating the ratchet wheel intermittently upon movement of the head with respect to the mounting means, and means to reciprocate the plate.

3. In combination with a stapling device including a movable head having staple forming and driving means thereon, an apertured punch plate spaced in the line of movement of the head, a punch movable into the aperture, and an adjustable anvil on the punch.

4. In combination with a stapling device including a movable head having staple forming and driving means thereon, an apertured punch plate spaced in the line of movement of the head, a punch movable into the aperture, a threaded shaft in the punch in alignment with the path of movement of the head, and a stapling anvil on the threaded shaft.

5. In combination with a stapling device including a movable head having staple forming and driving means thereon, an apertured punch-plate spaced in the line of movement of the head, a punch movable into the aperture, an anvil on the punch, and means to form and drive a staple into the anvil and simultaneously move the punch toward the movable head.

HANS BMSCHER. 

